Ì would not joke about anything so serious.’
His stare held hers captive, and she recognized again the insidious ripple of arousal, of wanting deep inside. That scared her almost as much as the determination etched on Rafiq’s aristocratic features.
`But that’s impossible!’
He shook his head slightly, just enough to make his gold earring sway. `Not impossible at all. All it takes is you and me, together.’
Belle clamped her lips to cut off the sound of her indrawn breath.
He didn’t mean together like that. He was talking about a political gesture. A ceremony to assuage his people’s expectations.
`You know what I mean.’ She shifted back on the wide divan, edging away from him. `Marrying some woman just because you paid her ransom the idea is ridiculous!’
He transformed before her eyes. From seductive intrigue to offended hauteur in an instant. He didn’t perceptibly move but somehow he loomed closer, his powerful shoulders blocking the rest of the room from her vision. Or maybe it was the spark of outrage in his eyes, the anger in his flared nostrils and thinned lips, that made him suddenly so intimidating..
`There is nothing ridiculous in acting to preserve the safety of my people. As their sheikh, it is my duty to protect them.’
But not mine. She bit down on the words in case they slipped out.
Ì didn’t mean that.’ She clenched her hands, forcing herself to meet his gaze. He projected an intimidating aura of power, of authority, honed, no doubt, by centuries of al Akhtar arrogance. But strangely she found it easier to defy him now, when he was annoyed, than when his smoldering sensual promise made her weak at the knees.
Ì meant there must be another option. Some alternative to marriage.’ Just saying the word brought goose bumps to her skin.
Ìf you have a suggestion I am, as ever, willing to hear it.’ He tilted his eyebrows in enquiry.
Ì don’t know.’ She spread her hands helplessly. Ì don’t understand the situation well enough to suggest anything. But there must be some way out of this. Marrying a stranger in these circumstances is preposterous.’
Something shifted in his expression, something that made her want, more than anything, to escape. She didn’t like the look in his eyes.
`We’re hardly strangers, Belle.’ His voice dropped deep, to a level of purring intimacy that shook her to the core.
Time was suspended, even the pulse beating in her ears seemed to slow and her blood congeal as she watched him lean close. His body heat radiated against her, his clean male scent filled her nostrils.
It took a supreme effort of will not to shrink away. Or tuck herself in against him. When he looked at her like that she was too tempted to believe he felt the same bone deep attraction that had befuddled her since he’d burst into her life.
The problem was that he seemed the embodiment of every fantasy strong, protective, intelligent, honorable… devastating. Toa good to be true.
She snagged a desperate breath.
`But we’re not in love.’
Oh, hell. Had she really been foolish enough to blurt that out? Heat climbed her throat as she met his scrutiny.
`Love?’ he queried, one dark brow winging up in a face suddenly still and intent. `You are in love with someone?’
For a moment the question hung between them: provocative, dangerous.
`No, no.’ Damn! How had she got herself into this? It seemed that the harder she tried to find a way out of the quagmire the deeper she sank. `There’s no one. But I’d hoped…’
She stopped, appalled that she had to explain something so personal. Especially to Rafiq, who’d probably had potential brides paraded for his inspection since he was in his teens. A man who obviously viewed marriage as an arrangement of state, not a meeting of lovers.
Belle took a sustaining breath and lifted her chin. It’s possible that one day I’ll meet someone-‘
`So! You would deny me, deny my country, this marriage because of a hope, a mere wish for the future?’ His brows drew together in a ferocious scowl.
`You must know I’ll do whatever I can to help. But marriage! Your people surely can’t expect that. They must realize we’ve only known each other a few days.’
Ànd yet a few days can be enough to choose a bride.’ Something about his expression made her recall the story of his piratical ancestor. She shook her head. She couldn’t afford to be distracted now.
And you’ll find that, for all our strength and tenacity, we Q’aroumis have a strongly romantic streak. My people are curious at the idea of their sheikh giving up such a spectacular fortune for a woman. It appeals to their sense of the dramatic.’ He paused, watching her intently. `They believe I’d only relinquish such a precious treasure for the woman I love.’